iRobot Corporation, famous as pretty much the only major consumer robotics company in existence, has announced a new military order and results defying market expectations.
The iRobot SUGV. Credit: Boeing Or you could have about 300 Roombas.
The firm, maker of the iconic Roomba floor-cleaning droid, issued crowd-pleasing Q2 …

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Stupid word

No, it doesn't include Blackwater etc mercenaries, it's just for soldiers. Because soldiers wasn't suitably heroic or some rubbish.

Actually, it may be that the term was coined to include airmen and sailors, who make up a fair number of US Special Forces and so are quite involved in fighting the current wars. Soldiers refers only to members of the Army, not Air Force or Navy. It's still a stupid word.